Touring ski binding

ABSTRACT

A touring ski binding including a frame for receiving a boot thereon, the frame being pivotally mounted on the front end thereof to a ski, the frame carrying side loops at the front end thereof for engagement by the toe of a boot and also carrying side rings at the rear end for engagement of a boot in the vicinity of the heel with the position of the rings being adjustable transversely and longitudinally with respect to the frame together with means for securing a boot within the loops and rings and upon the frame.

United States Patent [191 Swenson Dec. 3, 1974 1 1 TOURING SKI BINDING [76] Inventor: Richard E. Swenson, 1716 Vermilion Rd., Suluth, Minn. 55803 [22] Filed: Apr. 2, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 346,896

[52] US. Cl 280/11.35 Y [51] Int. Cl. A63c 9/10 [58] Field ofSearch 280/1 1.35 Y, 11.35 B,

280/1135 G, 11.35 N,11.35 F,11.35 E, 11.35 V, 11.35 C;780/11.35 W

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,102,669 12/1937 Barieau 280/1135 V 3,489,424 1/1970 Gertsch et a1 280/1135 K 3,764,155 10/1973 Perryman 280/1135 Y FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 46,196 0/l9l9 Switzerland 280/1135 Y 869,549 0/1941 France 280/1135 Y 17,179 0/1904 Austria 5 Y 1,572,250 0/1969 France 280/1135 D Primary ExaminerDavid Schonberg Assistant ExaminerDavid M. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmWicks & Nemer 5 7 ABSTRACT A touring ski binding including a frame for receiving a boot thereon, the frame being pivotally mounted on the front end thereof to a ski, the frame carrying side loops at the front end thereof for engagement by the toe of a boot and also carrying side rings at the rear end for engagement of a boot in the vicinity of the heel with the position of the rings being adjustable transversely and longitudinally with respect to the frame together with means for securing a boot within the loops and rings and upon the frame.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TOURING SKI BINDING SUMMARY The invention relates to an improvement in a touring ski binding and more specifically to a touring binding that will accept most any size or style boot. With present day touring bindings the same accept only touring boots and the binding must be of a size to accept the boot properly. Most touring boots do not keep the feet of the user adequately warm and these special boots must be bought for touring bindings.

The bindings disclosed herein are adjustable longitudinally and transversely and of a construction whereby boots of various sizes and types with adequate insulation may be used in the bindings. With the instant binding the touring skier may select most any desired boot and the binding restricts lateral movement of the boot thereby allowing control of the ski for turning and stopping yet permit vertical movement of the boot heel necessary in touring type of skiing.

In the drawings forming part of this application:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a touring ski binding mounted on a ski with a boat mounted thereon and embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the binding on a ski.

FIG 4 is a side elevational view'of the binding and ski of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention shown as mounted on a ski.

FIG 6 is a perspective view of a socket member not connected with the binding.

Referring to the drawings in detail the touring ski binding A includes a frame F which includes the first and second side arms 10 and 12, respectively. The first arm 10 includes the main arm portion 14 which terminates at the forward end in the self loop 16 which in turn terminates in the right angularly disposed threaded pivot end portion 18. The loop is disposed at an angle to the edge of the ski and inclined toward the front of the ski so as to accommodate the side of a boot.

The main arm portion 14 terminates in the rear threaded portion 20.

Further provided is the first socket member 22 which is formed of the hollow internally threaded tubular portion 24 which is secured at one end to the rear face of the plate 26. Formed in the plate 26 is the hole 28 which is in alignment with the tubular portion 24. The plate 26,is formed with the screw holes 30, and the plate is mounted on the side edge of the ski S by means of the screws 32 with the tubular portion 24 of the threaded socket 22 positioned within a hole 34 drilled, into the side of the ski. A second socket member 36 is provided which is identical to the first socket 22 and it is mounted in the ski on the opposite edge thereof.

Thevsecond side arm 12 includes the main arm portion 38 which terminates at the forward end in the self loop 40 which in turn terminates in the right angularly disposed threaded and pivot end portion 42. The main arm portion 38 terminates in the rear threaded portion 44.

The numeral 46 designates a first cross block which is formed with a threaded transverse hole 48 in which is threadedly mounted the rear threaded portion of the arm 10. Also provided is a second cross block 50 which is formed with a threaded transverse hole 52 and in which is threadedly mounted the rear threaded portion 44 of the arm 12. Secured to the outer end of the cross block 46 is the side ring 54, and secured to the outer end of the cross block is the side ring 56. The inner end of the cross block 46 is formed with the threaded'hole 58 which receives the threaded member 60 of the turnbuckle 62. Also, the inner end of the cross block 50 is formed with the threaded hole 64 which receives the threaded member 66 of the turnbuckle 62. Thus by operating the turnbuckle 62 the distance between the side rings may be varied to accommodate different width boots such as B in the heel area.

Thethreaded ends of the right angular end portions 18 and 42 of the arms 10 and 12, respectively, are threadedly engaged with the threaded sockets 22 and 36, respectively, in positions to accommodate boots of various widths in the toe area.

The blocks 46 and 50 are also adjusted on the threaded arm portions 20 and 44 of the arms 10 and 12, respectively, whereby the blocks 46 and 50 are in a position to engage the forward edge of the boot heel H, particularly FIG. 1. The boot B is held within the frame F from vertical displacement by means of the strap 66 which is connected at the inner end to the ring 54 as at x. The strap is then passed around the heel of the boot and around the instep portion of the boot and again around the heel to and through the side ring 56 and then over the instep to and through the side ring 54 from where it is passed over the boot to and through the front loop 40. The strap is then passed over the toe of the boot and to and through the front loop 16 and then across the boot to and through the side ring 56 and then engaged with the buckle Y attached to the short strap Z which is connected to the side ring 54. The binding A may also be used with a short strap across the toe and connected to loops l6 and 40 together with a short strap passed around the boot and in connection with the loops 54 and 56. With the boot in operative position, the skier may pivotally lift and lower' the boot as in touring skiing due to the action of the ends 18 and 42 of the side arms in the sockets 22 and 36.

In FIG. 6 is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention in the binding Ba which includes the fram Fa. The frame Fa includes the support plate 70 which has formed on the forward end thereof the half hinge portion 72 which cooperates with the half hinge portion 74 to form a hinge H, the half hinge portion 74 formed on the short front plate 76.

Further provided is the internally threaded tubular member 78 secured to and extending across the underside of the forward portion of the plate 70. The numeral 80 designates a first front loop secured to the outer end of a first threaded rod 82 threadedly engaged in the threaded tubular member 78. Also provided is a second front loop 84 secured to the outer end of a second threaded rod 86 threadedly engaged in the other end of the threaded tubular member 78.

Positioned upon the top of the rear end of the support plate 70 is the heel block 88 which is formed with a threaded hole 90 extending throughout the length of the block and which receives a first threaded rod 92 on the end of which is secured the first rear ring 93. Also provided is a second threaded rod 94 which has secured to the outer end thereof a second rear ring 96. The threaded rod 94 is threadedly engaged in the threaded hole 90.

In using the device Ba of FIG. 6 the front loops 80 and 84 are adjustably positioned by means of the threaded engagement with the tubular member 78 of the plate 70 to accommodate the toe sole edge of a boot such as B. The side rings 92 and 96 are similarly adjusted to accommodate the heel edge of the boot. The heel block 88 is positioned on the plate 70 so that the same engages against the forward edge of the heel of a boot. The heel block 88 is adjustable longitudinally on the plate 70 of the frame Fa by means of the bolts 98 which extend through the block and engage threaded holes 100 formed in the plate 70. With a boot so accommodated in the frame Fa. straps such as 66 and Z may be used with regard to the loops and rings in the same manner as heretofore described on the boot illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also a single toe strap may be used between the loops 80 and 84 and a further strap passed over the boot and in connection with the loops 92 and 96. With the boot secured in position on the binding Ba the boot may be pivoted up and down as in touring skiing through the hinge H.

I claim:

l. A touring ski binding for attaching a boot to a ski comprising:

a. a frame for receiving a boot therewith including first and second substantially straight side arms, extending longitudinally on each side of the ski, each having a right angle threaded portion, extending transversely of the ski, at the forward end thereof and a free end at the rear,

b. said frame also including a front loop adjacent each of said right angle portions extending up wardly in a generally longitudinal plane for engagement of a boot therebetween adjacent the toe thereof,

. threaded socket means for mounting transversely on each side of the ski and for threadedly and pivotally receiving the threaded right angle portions of the side arms for pivotal and adjustable lateral connection of the frame to the ski.

d. a rear loop for each of said side arms. extending upwardly in a generally longitudinal plane.

e. means threadedly mounting said rear loops on said side arms for adjustment longitudinally of the arms, said front and rear loops receiving straps which hold the boot between the loops of the frame.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said front loops are formed integrally with said side arms.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said a. means threadedly mounting said rear loops on said side arms includes an extension on each of said rear loops having threads therethrough and engaged with b. threads formed on said side arm.

4. The device of claim 3 in which said front loops are formed integrally with said side arms. 

1. A touring ski binding for attaching a boot to a ski comprising: a. a frame for receiving a boot therewith including first and second substantially straight side arms, extending longitudinally on each side of the ski, each having a right angle threaded portion, extending transversely of the ski, at the forward end thereof and a free end at the rear, b. said frame also including a front loop adjacent each of said right angle portions extending upwardly in a generally longitudinal plane for engagement of a boot therebetween adjacent the toe thereof, c. threaded socket means for mounting transversely on each side of the ski and for threadedly and pivotally receiving the threaded right angle portions of the side arms for pivotal and adjustable lateral connection of the frame to the ski. d. a rear loop for each of said side arms, extending upwardly in a generally longitudinal plane, e. means threadedly mounting said rear loops on said side arms for adjustment longitudinally of the arms, said front and rear loops receiving straps which hold the boot between the loops of the frame.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which said front loops are formed integrally with said side arms.
 3. The device of claim 1 in which said a. means threadedly mounting said rear loops on said side arms includes an extension on each of said rear loops having threads therethrough and engaged with b. threads formed on said side arm.
 4. The device of claim 3 in which said front loops are formed integrally with said side arms. 